No, governor, there's no need to do it. There's no need to "tweak" the gun laws passed this year. Not without compelling evidence that one or more provisions are simply unworkable — and no such evidence has been produced, as far as we're concerned.

After rejecting the notion of repealing any of the new statutes — which include universal background checks, gun magazine limits of 15 rounds and more rigorous training for conceal-carry permits — the governor offered an olive branch.

"If there's a way to improve [the statutes] some way, if you have some way that they work better or do a better job at what was their intention, then I think we should sit down and have that discussion," Hickenlooper said.

Short of repeal, however, it's hard to see how adjusting the laws would make them significantly more acceptable to opponents. Two of the bills — the background checks and magazine limits — were the principal goad to the successful recalls of Democratic senators this year, even though their actual requirements are quite modest and register favorably in polls. Weakening them would merely stoke the ardor and false sense of momentum of those who seem to oppose any change in the gun laws.

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On the other hand, Hickenlooper's prescription for a less rancorous legislative session in 2014 is welcome, as is his pledge to "find something to veto." More than one ill-considered bill always slips through a legislative session, no matter who's in charge. The governor could help himself and the public by pulling out his veto pen every now and then.

A quiet session needn't mean an unproductive session. It would just mean downplaying, for the most part, measures with a high ideological content that appeal almost exclusively to one side of the political spectrum.

There are plenty of other issues deserving legislative action that could and should attract bipartisan support, such as streamlining how counties are able to respond to natural disasters like this year's floods.

Hickenlooper cited such disasters in suggesting "there is a different sense of community right now even among legislators."

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

PARIS (AP) — Bye, New York! Ciao, Milan! Bonjour, Paris! The world's largest traveling circus of fashion editors, models, buyers and journalists has descended on the French capital, clutching their metro maps and city guides, to cap the ready-to-wear fashion season. Full Story